Quotes by William Dean Howells

“She had conquered, but she had also necessarily lost much. Perhaps what she had lost was not worth keeping; but at any rate she had lost it.”

“I wish you to believe whatever you think is true, at any and every cost.”

“Yes, there's sense in that. But the suddenly rich are on a level with any of us nowadays. Money buys position at once. I don't say that it isn't all right. The world generally knows what it's about...”

“Each one of us must suffer long to himself before he can learn that he is but one in a great community of wretchedness which has been pitilessly repeating itself from the foundation of the world.”

“Every one is expected to look out for himself here. I fancy that there would be very little rising if men were expected to rise for the sake of others, in America.”

“Ah, we shall never have a real aristocracy while this plebeian reluctance to live upon a parent or a wife continues the animating spirit of our youth. It strikes at the foot of the feudal system!”

“Those novels with old-fashioned heroes and heroines in them -- are ruinous!”

“The action is best that secures the greatest happiness for the greatest number.”

“Wisdom and goodness are twin-born, one heart must hold both sisters, never seen apart.”

“Does it afflict you to find your books wearing out? I mean literally .. . the mortality of all inanimate things is terrible to me but that of books most of all.”

“Some people can stay longer in an hour than others can in a week.”

“How strange it (the earthquake) must all have seemed to them, here where they lived so safely always! They thought such a dreadful thing could happen to others, but not to them. That is the way!”

“The conqueror is regarded with awe the wise man commands our respect but it is only the benevolent man that wins our affection. ”

“I wish you to believe whatever you think is true, at any and every cost.”

“We live, but a world has passed away With the years that perished to make us men.”

“The wrecks of slavery are fast growing a fungus crop of sentiment.”

“The life of Christ, it wasn't only in healing the sick and going about to do good; it was suffering for the sins of others. That's as great a mystery as the mystery of death. Why should there be su...”

“Lord, for the erring thought Not into evil wrought: Lord, for the wicked will Betrayed and baffled still: For the heart from itself kept, Our thanksgiving accept. For ignorant hopes that were Broke...”

“And before you know me gone Eternity and I are one.”

“Her mouth is a honey-blossom, No doubt, as the poet sings; But within her lips, the petals, Lurks a cruel bee that stings.”